After yesterday’s surprise results in Super League just six points separated the play off positions and bottom place. Danny Ward’s London Broncos were superb to thump Catalans in Perpignan and new Hull Kingston Rovers boss Tony Smith shocked his old club Warrington. This heaped even more pressure on Salford and Wakefield with both sides desperate not to get sucked in to the relegation dog fight.
The Red Devils and Trinity had lost their last four matches. Something had to give today. Salford coach Ian Watson made some changes, Daniel Murray and Adam Walker missed out. Lee Mossop returned along with Mark Flanagan, Logan Tomkins started at hooker. Ken Sio injured last week at Hull was replaced by Derrell Olpherts.
Salford scored the games first points after Robert Lui set up Jake Bibby with a super pass to allow the winger to squeeze in at the corner.
Tensions were high and tempers flared in the opening stages with the referee struggling to control the two sides.
Jacob Miller levelled the scores after Bibby failed to deal with a high kick. Danny Brough edged Trinity ahead with the conversion 4-6.
The visitors lead didn’t last long, Lui’s clever reverse kick found Niall Evalds who raced in to score. Salford made it back to back tries when the re start was kicked out on the full. Lui and Evalds combined to put Bibby in again.
The introduction of Joey Lussick offered a new attacking dimension for Ian Watson’s side and the young Australian hooker scored one of his trade mark tries before the break to give Salford a commanding 20-6 lead.
A poor start to the second half allowed Trinity to get their foot in the door.
The Red Devils were half asleep as the kick off was allowed to go over the dead ball line. Wakefield built pressure with three sets camped on Salford’s line.
Ben Jones Bishop grabbed the try 20-12.
At times Lui looked unplayable with his creative edge and was constant attacking threat. Salford’s number six was rewarded with a try after he followed up his own kick.
Wakefield wouldn’t go away and hit back through Millers second try. A mistake at the back from Evalds allowing a simple score for the Wakefield stand off.
Holding a ten point advantage going in to the final quarter nerves were eased when Jackson Hastings set up Kris Welham with a delightful kick which completely fooled The Trinity defence.
Jones Bishop grabbed his second try twelve minutes from time but that was as good as it got for Wakefield.
Salford finished strongly with Lui provider again this time throwing an outrageous dummy before setting up Evalds for his second try and that try was his 100th career try.
Shortly after Josh Jones and Hastings linked up well to send Evalds over for his hat trick. A wonderful support player who always seems to be there backing up bagging a well deserved treble to cap off a much needed victory.
A relieved Salford coach Ian Watson was in positive mood after the match.
“ I thought we controlled the whole tempo of the game on the front foot.
We needed a real focus on our start to the game and we made a few changes to get that.”
One blow for Salford was an injury to George Griffin. The all action second row man had is arm in a sling and may have torn a bicep.
The Red Devil’s leap frogged Wigan and Wakefield to go sixth in the table.
Victory at home to Castleford next Friday will see Salford move in to fifth place. That is a game not to be missed and gets under way at The AJ Bell Stadium At 7:45pm
Final score Salford 44 Wakefield 20.
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures by Steve McCormick
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